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Physics > Radioactivity > Flashcards

Radioactivity Flashcards

1
Q

What Are Alpha Particles Made Up Of?

A

2 protons and 2 neutrons (same as the nucleus of a helium atom)

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2
Q

What Is The Overall Charge Of An Alpha Particle?

A

2+

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3
Q

What stops alpha particles?

A

A sheet of paper or a human hand

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4
Q

How ionising are alpha particles?

A

Strongly ionising

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5
Q

What Are Beta Particles Made Up Of?

A

Fast moving electrons

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6
Q

What Is The Overall Charge Of A Beta Particle?

A

-1

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7
Q

What stops beta particles?

A

5mm of aluminium

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8
Q

How ionising are beta particles?

A

Moderately ionising

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9
Q

What are gamma rays?

A

Electromagnetic wave radiation released by the nucleus

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10
Q

What stops gamma rays?

A

Thick lead or concrete

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11
Q

What Happens During An Alpha Decay?

A
  • Mass number loses 4 protons and neutrons
  • Atomic mass number loses 2 protons
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12
Q

What Happens During A Beta Decay?

A

Mass stays the same and adds one to atomic number

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13
Q

What Happens During A Neutron Emission?

A
  • Mass number decreases by 1
  • Atomic number remains the same
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14
Q

What is the ‘Activity’ during Radioactive decay?

A

The overall rate of decay of all of the radioactive isotopes in our sample

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15
Q

What are the units of ‘Activity’?

A

Becquerels (Bq)

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16
Q

What is a half-life?

A

The time taken for the number of radioactive nuclei in an isotope to halve.

17
Q

What device is used to record radioactive decays?

A

Geiger-Muller tube and counter

18
Q

What is visible light?

A

The part of the electromagnetic spectrum that our eyes can detect

19
Q

What are optical fibres?

A

Thin glass or plastic fibres that are used to transmit data really quickly over very large distances

20
Q

What Are The Advantages Of Using Optical Fibres?

A
  • Transmit much more information
  • Signal is less likely to be distorted
21
Q

What is fluorescence?

A

Ultraviolet light energy being absorbed and re-emitted as visible light

22
Q

Properties Of Ultraviolet Radiation

A
  • Shorter wavelength than visible light
23
Q

Examples of Ultraviolet Waves

A
  • The Sun ~ Sun Tan or Sun Burn
  • Security Pens ~ Completely invisible until we shine UV Light
  • Sterilise Water ~ Destroys Micro-organisms
24
Q

What Are The Safety Precautions Of Radiation & Absorption Practical?

A
  • Never direct radioactive sources towards someone
  • Handle radioactive sources with tongs.
  • Minimise the exposure time by only removing sources from their lead lined boxes when in use

Physics (4 decks)

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